UNWIRED E-MED: the next generation of wireless and internet telemedicine systems

The movement of telemedicine to wireless and mobile Internet applications is imminent in the next few years. This migration from desktop platforms to wireless and mobile configurations will have a significant impact on future healthcare delivery systems and their globalization. Recent telecommunications and biomedical computing advances will significantly enhance the current methodologies of telemedicine and telecare systems. This editorial will present some of the evolutionary issues and important aspects that have to be considered in developing technologies for the next generation of Internet and third generation of mobile systems geared for future telemedical applications. These will provide new dimensions to existing medical services and areas of outreach that are not possible with the current generation that will have tremendous impact on how healthcare delivery will be shaped for the 21st century.